The programme is a ward-based deployment initiative that was launched to respond to, and reduce, crime and grime in Johannesburg’s 130 wards. The programme also includes the deployment of an additional ten Metro police officers per ward in order to improve bylaw enforcement and traffic management while at the same time improving community relations through proactive policing.
Calling the meeting to order, councillor Annette Deppe was disappointed when she realised that there was no representation from Metro police.
She said, “Many of the issues raised in this meeting, as well as issues that were raised at the last meeting, needed either input or feedback from the Metro police. Their absence at the meeting called a halt to those matters which now have still not received attention.”
Many of the issues discussed at the meeting concerned bylaw enforcement and traffic control such as the eradication of the illegal taxi rank at the corner of Witkoppen Road and Umhlanga Road in Paulshof and the removal of vagrants at the Chilli Lane Shopping Centre.
Deppe said that the Metro police were also not present at the previous meeting.
She said, “For both meetings not only did they not attend but they also did not send an apology for their absence.”
“The Metro police’s continued absence means that the Joburg 10Plus programme is actually not working in Ward 93,” she added.
Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, said that Metro police would be in contact with councillor Deppe to ensure that officers attend the next 10Plus meeting.
